World Series Of Poker Halftime

By Paul Bentley

We are roughly halfway through the 2012 World Series Of Poker, which means 31 people have each taken home a gold bracelet and truck-loads of cash. Not only have the big name players been crushing on the felts, but the women of poker have stole some of the thunder in this male dominated sport. Here is a breakdown of how the series is panning out.

Phil Ivey – I call this man the “Michael Jordan of poker” and he has certainly lived up to that title so far this series. Ivey has already reached four final tables, equaling over half a million in winnings. Unfortunately, Phil hasn’t been able to capture that ninth career bracelet. Regardless, with the higher buy-in events still to come, it is inevitable that Ivey will make a run at some hardware before the series is over.

Phil Hellmuth – Poker fans love to hate this guy. He pisses and moans whenever he loses a hand whereas most professionals can shrug those hands off knowing it’s part of the game. What people can’t take away from Hellmuth is his record 12 career WSOP bracelets. He captured his 12th in this year’s Razz event and also final tabled the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E (tournament consisting of five varieties of poker) event for a combined $317,000. Ridiculous series thus far for the “poker brat.” His game is old-school and conservative, but he just flat out wins.

John Monnette – Monnette is a regular in the highest stakes, mixed cash games in the world, however he is not recognized by your average poker fan. Well, that is going to change as Monnette is having a stellar series. Monnette captured his second career bracelet in event 10, a $5000 stud tournament and also final tabled two other events for a total just just under $600,000 in winnings. Johnny was also smack-talking Phil Hellmuth at $10,000 H.O.R.S.E final table, perhaps trying to make his presence felt. Well played Monnette.

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies

Allyn Jaffrey Schulman won her first bracelet in the $1000 buy-in seniors event, as she outlasted over 4100 players and pocketed $603,713.

Amanda Musumeci had a second place finish in the $1500 re-entry event for $481,643 and Cherish Andrews finished fourth in event 31 earning her $210,083.